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Physics Courses

NOTE: The Physics Department offers three sequences in physics. All include an appropriate laboratory.

PHYS 101 is a non-mathematical college transfer or general elective science course open to all students. It is suitable for students in Liberal Arts, Communications and Education or for those who want to take physics as a general elective.

PHYS 105 is a one-semester course using only elementary high school mathematics, intended for Business, Fire Science, Respiratory Therapy and Construction Technology students. This course is for students desiring a minimally mathematically-based physics course. This course is also suggested for students in Chemical Technology, and is suitable for Liberal Arts and Business students who need a laboratory science.

PHYS 111-112 is a two-semester college physics sequence for students with a good background in algebra and trigonometry. It is suitable for students in pharmacy, pre-dental and pre-medical programs who do not need a calculus-based physics course, mathematically able technology students and Liberal Arts students who plan to teach mathematics and sciences.

The PHYS 140-241 sequence is a calculus-based, classical physics sequence for students interested in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics or physics, pre-dental or pre-medical programs.

PHYS 242 is a calculus-based course in modern physics for students in the Engineering Science and Associate in Science curricula. It is also suitable for students who wish to take additional physics beyond PHYS 140 and 241, such as those interested in biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics as well as some students in pharmacy, pre-dental or pre-medical programs.

PHYS 101 Revolutionary Concepts in Physics

3-2-4

Credit Hours: 4

The study of scientific concepts which have had a revolutionary impact on Western civilization from early Greek ideas on planetary motion to the Newtonian Syntheses. By the selection of key topics from mechanics and astronomy, the student will gain an acquaintance with the historical development, methodology and philosophy of our understanding of the physical universe of classical physics. Treatment will be mostly non-mathematical. A two-hour laboratory per week is required. This is a general elective course suitable for students who have a laboratory science requirement, except for students in curricula which specify a different physics course.Additional course fee: $90.

PHYS 105 Survey of Physics

4-2-4

Credit Hours: 4

Mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light and optics. Suitable as a science elective for college transfer students planning to major in fields outside the natural sciences or mathematics. Also suitable for some students in career programs. It may be regarded either as a one-semester course or as the first half of a one-year physical science course. A two-hour laboratory per week is required.Additional course fee: $90.

PHYS 106 Matter and Energy

3-2-4

Credit Hours: 4

An optional continuation of PHYS 105. The structure of matter, chemical energy, nuclear energy, energy conversions, energy resources of the world, relationships between pollution and energy utilization. A two-hour laboratory per week is required. Prerequisite:PHYS 105 or permission of the department head.Additional course fee: $90.

PHYS 107 Matter and Energy

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

The course content is the same as that of PHYS 106, but without the laboratory. A general elective course suitable for students who do not require a laboratory science.

PHYS 108 Descriptive Astronomy

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

Introduces students to discoveries of astronomy and physics, from ancient times to the present day. More specifically, the course focuses on the history of astronomy and science. Students learn about the birth of the universe; the stars, planets, galaxies and constellations; the possibility of life on other heavenly bodies; as well as radiation, magnetism, nuclear reactions, and other aspects of physics. Topics such as relativity, gravity, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, black holes, supernovas, gamma-ray bursters, quasars, neutron stars, spectroscopy, light, heat and heat transfer, dark energy and dark matter, string theory and conceptual physics are also discussed.

PHYS 111 General Physics I

4-2-4

Credit Hours: 4

Introduction to mechanics, heat and sound. This is an algebra-trigonometry based course suitable for college-transfer students in pharmacy, pre-dental and pre-medical programs who do not need a calculus-based physics course. It is also suitable for college transfer students in arts, business, education, humanities and technology programs. Prerequisite:MATH 162 or Math 171 or Math 171 placement.Additional course fee: $90.

PHYS 125 Musical Acoustics

2-2-3

Credit Hours: 3

Designed primarily for students concentrating in music; may be taken by others. The nature of sound, the hearing process, wave motion, architectural acoustics and their application to musical instruments and performance by musicians.Additional course fee: $90.

PHYS 140 Mechanics, Heat and Sound

5-2-5

Credit Hours: 5

Calculus-based introduction to mechanics, heat and sound suitable for college transfer students who plan to major in engineering, life sciences, mathematics or physical science. Prerequisite:MATH 171. (It is suggested that students who have never had a physics course take PHYS 111 before PHYS 140.)Additional course fee: $90.

PHYS 242 Modern Physics

3-2-4

Credit Hours: 4

Includes a study of the atom, relativity, radiation, fission and fusion. A calculus-based physics course for the college transfer student who majors in chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics or other sciences. Prerequisite:PHYS 241.Additional course fee: $90.